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Wang M, Tang L, Chen S, Wang L, Wu J, Zhong C, Li Y, Chen Y. ZNF217-activated Notch signaling mediates sulforaphane-suppressed stem cell properties in colorectal cancer. J Nutr Biochem 2024; 125:109551. [PMID: 38134973 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2023.109551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are known to contribute to the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, understanding of the molecular mechanisms and key factors involved in CRC is still insufficient to identify therapeutic targets against colorectal CSCs. In an effort to identify such mechanisms, we conducted bioinformatics analyses to evaluate the expression patterns in tumor and normal colorectal tissues, leading us to focus on the role of the ZNF217/Notch1 axis in mediating stem cell properties in CRC. Our findings revealed that ZNF217 overexpression activated self-renewal ability, expression of colorectal CSC markers, and Notch signaling in CRC. Dual-luciferase reporter assay suggested a role for ZNF217 in targeting Notch1 to activate Notch signaling. We observed that the promotional effects of Notch signaling, as well as CSC markers, under ZNF217 overexpression were attenuated after Notch1 knockdown. In addition to in vitro data, our in vivo results confirmed the inhibitory effect of sulforaphane on the tumorigenicity of CSCs, depicted the suppressive role of sulforaphane on colorectal CSCs mediated by the ZNF217/Notch1 axis, thereby providing new targetable vulnerabilities and therapeutic strategies for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghuan Wang
- Department of Children Health Care, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - LvYuwei Tang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Siyu Chen
- Department of Fundamental and Community Nursing, School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liudan Wang
- Department of Fundamental and Community Nursing, School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinyi Wu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Caiyun Zhong
- Department of Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yadong Li
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yue Chen
- Department of Fundamental and Community Nursing, School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Wang Y, Ma C, Yang X, Gao J, Sun Z. ZNF217: An Oncogenic Transcription Factor and Potential Therapeutic Target for Multiple Human Cancers. Cancer Manag Res 2024; 16:49-62. [PMID: 38259608 PMCID: PMC10802126 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s431135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Zinc finger protein 217 (ZNF217) is one of the well-researched members of the Krüppel-like factor transcription factor family. ZNF217 possesses a characteristic structure of zinc finger motifs and plays a crucial role in regulating the biological activities of cells. Recent findings have revealed that ZNF217 is strongly associated with multiple aspects of cancer progression, impacting patient prognosis. Notably, ZNF217 is subject to regulation by non-coding RNAs, suggesting the potential for targeted manipulation of such RNAs as a robust therapeutic avenue for managing cancer in the future. The main purpose of this article is to provide a detailed examination of the role of ZNF217 in human malignant tumors and the regulation of its expression, and to offer new perspectives for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yepeng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao Ma
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuekun Yang
- Department of Neurology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhigang Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China
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Liang S, Liu S, Song J, Lin Q, Zhao S, Li S, Li J, Liang S, Wang J. HMCDA: a novel method based on the heterogeneous graph neural network and metapath for circRNA-disease associations prediction. BMC Bioinformatics 2023; 24:335. [PMID: 37697297 PMCID: PMC10494331 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-023-05441-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Circular RNA (CircRNA) is a type of non-coding RNAs in which both ends are covalently linked. Researchers have demonstrated that many circRNAs can act as biomarkers of diseases. However, traditional experimental methods for circRNA-disease associations identification are labor-intensive. In this work, we propose a novel method based on the heterogeneous graph neural network and metapaths for circRNA-disease associations prediction termed as HMCDA. First, a heterogeneous graph consisting of circRNA-disease associations, circRNA-miRNA associations, miRNA-disease associations and disease-disease associations are constructed. Then, six metapaths are defined and generated according to the biomedical pathways. Afterwards, the entity content transformation, intra-metapath and inter-metapath aggregation are implemented to learn the embeddings of circRNA and disease entities. Finally, the learned embeddings are used to predict novel circRNA-disase associations. In particular, the result of extensive experiments demonstrates that HMCDA outperforms four state-of-the-art models in fivefold cross validation. In addition, our case study indicates that HMCDA has the ability to identify novel circRNA-disease associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyang Liang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xinsi Road, Xi'an, China
- Department of Internal Medicine, The No. 944 Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA, Xiongguan Road, Jiuquan, China
| | - Siwei Liu
- Department of Machine Learning, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Junliang Song
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xinsi Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Qiang Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xinsi Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Shihong Zhao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xinsi Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Shuaixin Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xinsi Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiahui Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xinsi Road, Xi'an, China
| | - Shangsong Liang
- Department of Machine Learning, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jingjie Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xinsi Road, Xi'an, China.
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Wang W, Luo H, Chang J, Yang X, Zhang X, Zhang Q, Li Y, Zhao Y, Liu J, Zou B, Hao M. Circular RNA circ0001955 promotes cervical cancer tumorigenesis and metastasis via the miR-188-3p/NCAPG2 axis. J Transl Med 2023; 21:356. [PMID: 37248471 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04194-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are known to play a crucial role in a variety of malignancies. However, the precise role of circRNAs in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) remains largely unknown. METHODS The expression of circ0001955 was determined by real-time quantitative PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization. To examine the effects of circ0001955 on CSCC metastasis and growth, functional experiments were conducted in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, nucleocytoplasmic separation, dual luciferase reporter assay, RNA antisense purification experiments, and rescue experiments were performed to confirm the interaction between circ0001955, miR-188-3p, and NCAPG2 in CSCC. RESULTS Here, we demonstrated that a circRNA derived from the CSNK1G1 gene (circ0001955) is significantly upregulated in CSCC. The overexpression of circ0001955 promotes tumor proliferation and metastasis, whereas the knockdown of circ0001955 exerts the opposite effects. Mechanistically, circ0001955 competitively binds miR-188-3p and prevents miR-188-3p from reducing the levels of NCAPG2, activating the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to induce epithelial mesenchymal transformation. Notably, the application of an inhibitor of mTOR significantly antagonized circ0001955-mediated CSCC tumorigenesis. CONCLUSION circ0001955 promotes CSCC tumorigenesis and metastasis via the miR-188-3p/NCAPG2 axis which would provide an opportunity to search new therapeutic targets for CSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Haixia Luo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Jingjing Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Pathology Department, School of Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Lane 235, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Xiu Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Qingmei Zhang
- School of Applied Science, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, Taiyuan, 030024, Shanxi, China
| | - Yuanxing Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Yueyang Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Jianbing Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Binbin Zou
- Department of Pathology & Shanxi Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research on Esophageal Cancer, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030000, Shanxi, China
| | - Min Hao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, China.
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Liu S, Liu X, Lin X, Chen H. Zinc Finger Proteins in the War on Gastric Cancer: Molecular Mechanism and Clinical Potential. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091314. [PMID: 37174714 PMCID: PMC10177130 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
According to the 2020 global cancer data released by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) International, gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide, with yearly increasing incidence and the second-highest fatality rate in malignancies. Despite the contemporary ambiguous molecular mechanisms in GC pathogenesis, numerous in-depth studies have demonstrated that zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) are essential for the development and progression of GC. ZFPs are a class of transcription factors with finger-like domains that bind to Zn2+ extensively and participate in gene replication, cell differentiation and tumor development. In this review, we briefly outline the roles, molecular mechanisms and the latest advances in ZFPs in GC, including eight principal aspects, such as cell proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion and metastasis, inflammation and immune infiltration, apoptosis, cell cycle, DNA methylation, cancer stem cells (CSCs) and drug resistance. Intriguingly, the myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1) possesses reversely dual roles in GC by promoting tumor proliferation or impeding cancer progression via apoptosis. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanism of ZFPs on GC progression will pave the solid way for screening the potentially effective diagnostic indicators, prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujie Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
- Medical Department, Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Xingzhu Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
- Medical Department, Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Xin Lin
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
- Medical Department, Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Hongping Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
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Azhati B, Reheman A, Dilixiati D, Rexiati M. FTO-stabilized miR-139-5p targets ZNF217 to suppress prostate cancer cell malignancies by inactivating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway. Arch Biochem Biophys 2023; 741:109604. [PMID: 37080415 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2023.109604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
As one of the most important demethylases for RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications, fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) plays anti-cancer role during prostate cancer (PC), but it is still unclear the detailed molecular mechanisms. Here, this study verified that FTO inactivated the tumor-accelerating PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway to hamper PC development through regulating the downstream miR-139-5p/zinc finger protein 217 (ZNF217) axis. Through performing clinical analysis, it was revealed that FTO was apparently ablated in the cancerous tissues compared to the normal tissues collected from PC patients, and patients with high-expressed FTO predicted a favorable prognosis. Functional experiments confirmed that overexpression of FTO suppressed cell proliferation, mitosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), tumorigenesis and lung metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. The following mechanical experiments verified that FTO stabilized miR-139-5p to increase its expression levels in a m6A-dependent manner, and elevated miR-139-5p induced degradation of ZNF217 through binding to ZNF217 mRNA, resulting in the inactivation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathway. Finally, our rescuing experiments confirmed that overexpressed FTO-induced tumor-suppressing effects on PC cells were abrogated by miR-139-5p ablation and ZNF217 overexpression. Collectively, this study firstly validated that FTO exerted its anti-tumor effects in PC through regulating the miR-139-5p/ZNF217 axis in a m6A-dependent manner, providing novel biomarkers for the advancement of anti-cancer agents for PC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baihetiya Azhati
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, No.137 South Carp Hill Road, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, Xinjiang Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Aerziguli Reheman
- Department of Operating Room, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, No.137 South Carp Hill Road, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, Xinjiang Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Diliyaer Dilixiati
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, No.137 South Carp Hill Road, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, Xinjiang Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Mulati Rexiati
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, No.137 South Carp Hill Road, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, Xinjiang Province, People's Republic of China.
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The Intricate Interplay between the ZNF217 Oncogene and Epigenetic Processes Shapes Tumor Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246043. [PMID: 36551531 PMCID: PMC9776013 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The oncogenic transcription factor ZNF217 orchestrates several molecular signaling networks to reprogram integrated circuits governing hallmark capabilities within cancer cells. High levels of ZNF217 expression provide advantages to a specific subset of cancer cells to reprogram tumor progression, drug resistance and cancer cell plasticity. ZNF217 expression level, thus, provides a powerful biomarker of poor prognosis and a predictive biomarker for anticancer therapies. Cancer epigenetic mechanisms are well known to support the acquisition of hallmark characteristics during oncogenesis. However, the complex interactions between ZNF217 and epigenetic processes have been poorly appreciated. Deregulated DNA methylation status at ZNF217 locus or an intricate cross-talk between ZNF217 and noncoding RNA networks could explain aberrant ZNF217 expression levels in a cancer cell context. On the other hand, the ZNF217 protein controls gene expression signatures and molecular signaling for tumor progression by tuning DNA methylation status at key promoters by interfering with noncoding RNAs or by refining the epitranscriptome. Altogether, this review focuses on the recent advances in the understanding of ZNF217 collaboration with epigenetics processes to orchestrate oncogenesis. We also discuss the exciting burgeoning translational medicine and candidate therapeutic strategies emerging from those recent findings connecting ZNF217 to epigenetic deregulation in cancer.
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